2014 Fantasy Baseball: 5 Shrewd Plays For June 7

5 Shrewd Plays for June 7

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For any fantasy baseball team, starting the right players is unsurprisingly the key to success. This is especially true in the immensely popular daily leagues, where a single player can mean the difference between a big payday and crushing disappointment. Based on matchups and talent, the following five players could all be in for an outstanding day on June 7 and deserve your utmost consideration.

5. 1B - Joe Mauer: Minnesota Twins

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5. 1B - Joe Mauer: Minnesota Twins

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This six-time All-Star has really struggled so far with a .269 average and just 11 extra base hits in 216 at bats. On the bright side, all 11 of those have come against right-handed pitchers, whom he's actually hitting a solid .300 off of. I think Mauer finds success today against struggling right-hander Scott Feldman. Not only are left-handed bats hitting .292 off of him this season, but his ERA is a frightening 6.73 in his last six starts.

4. OF - Andre Ethier: Los Angeles Dodgers

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4. OF - Andre Ethier: Los Angeles Dodgers

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Ethier was swinging a hot bat through most of May, but has been ice cold the past week and a half. A date at hitter-friendly Coors Field to take on the Colorado Rockies and starter Jhoulys Chacin should warm him back up though. Chacin has been awful this season with an 0-4 record and 5.51 ERA. Plus, Ethier owns a career .385 average off of him in 26 at bats.

3. DH - David Ortiz: Boston Red Sox

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3. DH - David Ortiz: Boston Red Sox

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

It's generally not in your best interest to start players against reigning AL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer. He has really struggled of late though, having allowed 16 earned runs in his past three outings, and Ortiz simply loves hitting off of him. In 17 career at bats against the fireballer, Ortiz owns a lofty .471 average to go along with three HRs.

2. OF - Michael Brantley: Cleveland Indians

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2. OF - Michael Brantley: Cleveland Indians

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The dream season continues for this left-handed bat. Brantley sits in the top 15 in all of baseball in both runs scored and RBIs, plus ranks 18th with a .307 batting average. Those numbers are likely to improve today when the Tribe take on Nick Tepesch and the Texas Rangers. Not only has Tepesch struggled mightily against left-handed bats this year, but Brantley is hitting .321 off right-handed pitching in 2014.

1. P - Tim Hudson: San Francisco Giants

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1. P - Tim Hudson: San Francisco Giants

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At the age of 38, Hudson is amazingly making a run at his first Cy Young Award. His 1.75 ERA ranks No. 1 among all qualifying starters in baseball, and his 0.87 WHIP isn't far behind at second overall. He should have no problem holding down a New York Mets team today that ranks just 21st in baseball in runs scored per game, and are hitting a microscopic .226 off right-handed pitching this season.